The Better Conversations Podcast

Awkward at work? You're not alone. In this video, learn how to master small talk at work, build trust, and connect with your team using my “2-Minute Talks” method. Whether you’re an introvert, new manager, or just tired of surface-level chats, these leadership communication tips will help you turn microwave convos and hallway chats into real moments of influence.

Get the Better Conversations Weekly Tip: https://www.heykaralist.com/newsletter

👉 Watch my FREE TRAINING on how to empower your team to STOP needing you for every answer and directive: https://www.heykaralist.com/workshop

Struggling to give honest feedback without feeling awkward, anxious, or overly emotional? You're not alone—and you're not a bad leader for dreading it. In this episode of The Better Conversations Podcast, Kara List shares her proven 3-step framework that makes hard conversations at work feel more natural, confident, and effective.

Whether you’re managing underperformance, addressing behavior issues, or just trying to communicate feedback without damaging trust, this practical episode will give you the tools to speak clearly, challenge directly, and stay connected.

You’ll learn:

• Why feedback feels so hard—and how to shift your mindset

• The CLEAR feedback method for confident communication

• How to stop sugarcoating and actually say the thing

• The secret to building a feedback culture where conversations lead to growth, not conflict

  
  

👉 Download the free feedback template at heykaralist.com/feedback
👉 Want personalized help? Book a free call at heykaralist.com/freecall

After a year of connecting with so many of you, one truth stands out: culture is built in the everyday conversations we have at work. And if we want a better culture, we need better conversations.

In this short episode, I’m sharing why I’m making a big change, what’s coming next, and how this podcast (and my new weekly newsletter!) will help you lead with more clarity, confidence, and connection—one conversation at a time.

✨ Sign up for the Better Conversations newsletter at heykaralist.com/newsletter

For years, I struggled with giving honest feedback. I thought I had to be perfect, have all the answers, or sugarcoat what needed to be said. But what I’ve learned is that mindset beats method. And these 5 truths? They make feedback so much easier—and far more effective.✅ Why the goal of feedback is not your comfort

✅ How to shift from monologue to meaningful conversation

✅ Why “you might be wrong” is the best leadership stance

✅ What to do when your team member disagrees

✅ Why feedback is never a one-and-done momentBy the end of this episode, you’ll have a mindset framework that makes giving feedback a lot less stressful—and a lot more helpful.🎯 Want to learn exactly how to have feedback conversations that build trust and accountability?👉 Join the waitlist for the No More Hard Conversations Summer Cohort at: https://heykaralist.com/cohort FREE RESOURCES ] 👉 Watch my FREE TRAINING on how to empower your team to STOP needing you for every answer and directive: https://www.heykaralist.com/workshop

👉 Get a FREE guide to the BEST way to start your meetings: https://www.heykaralist.com/kickoff

👉 Subscribe to get new content, freebies, and tips directly in your inbox: https://www.heykaralist.com/newsletter[ WORK WITH ME ] 🔥 Want to build a happy and high performing team so you can go on a vacation? Join my signature program, Empowered Teams Academy at: https://www.heykaralist.com/eta🔥 Looking to grow in your leadership skills and finally overcome that challenge that continues to get in the way and keep you frustrated? Apply for one-on-one coaching with kara: https://www.heykaralist.com/coaching-page

Feeling like you’re not qualified to lead? Struggling with imposter syndrome as a new or growing leader? In this video, leadership coach Kara List shares the truth about what makes someone truly qualified—and it’s probably not what you think.

Whether you're managing a team, running a project, or stepping into leadership for the first time, this episode will help you feel empowered and equipped to lead well—right where you are.

🎁 Free Leadership Training – “Free to Lead”: www.heykaralist.com/workshop

Need more help with finding your unique value add as a leader? Check out this video: https://youtu.be/sg5WvTqqAWE

[ FREE RESOURCES ]

👉 Watch my FREE TRAINING on how to empower your team to STOP needing you for every answer and directive: https://www.heykaralist.com/workshop

👉 Get a FREE guide to the BEST way to start your meetings: https://www.heykaralist.com/kickoff

👉 Subscribe to get new content, freebies, and tips directly in your inbox: https://www.heykaralist.com/newsletter

[ WORK WITH ME ]

🔥 Want to build a happy and high performing team so you can go on a vacation? Join my signature program, Empowered Teams Academy at: https://www.heykaralist.com/eta

🔥 Looking to grow in your leadership skills and finally overcome that challenge that continues to get in the way and keep you frustrated? Apply for one-on-one coaching with kara: https://www.heykaralist.com/coaching-page

Even if you love your team, you might be asking yourself, “Is this as good as it gets?” Or maybe you feel stuck with the “B team.” Here’s a hard truth: if your team isn’t performing like you want, it might not be their fault. It might actually be yours—not because you’re a bad leader, but because you may be unknowingly creating 4 common roadblocks that hold your team back from becoming the A team.

In this episode of The Culture Keepers Podcast, I break down these 4 leadership habits that well-meaning leaders often fall into — and I give you practical steps to fix them this week. No guilt, no shame—just honest reflection and a roadmap for real growth.

You’ll learn how to:
✔️ Stop micromanaging and build trust, confidence, and ownership
✔️ Avoid rescuing your team and empower them to solve problems independently
✔️ Recognize perfectionism disguised as helpfulness and shift to constructive feedback
✔️ Delegate effectively to unlock your team’s unique strengths and free your time

Need more help with micromanagement? Check out this video: https://youtu.be/U0lPxA0cT9c?si=K6uNhtsB6JGcjRax

[ FREE RESOURCES ]

👉 Watch my FREE TRAINING on how to empower your team to STOP needing you for every answer and directive: https://www.heykaralist.com/workshop

👉 Get a FREE guide to the BEST way to start your meetings: https://www.heykaralist.com/kickoff

👉 Subscribe to get new content, freebies, and tips directly in your inbox: https://www.heykaralist.com/newsletter

[ WORK WITH ME ]

🔥 Want to build a happy and high performing team so you can go on a vacation? Join my signature program, Empowered Teams Academy at: https://www.heykaralist.com/eta

🔥 Looking to grow in your leadership skills and finally overcome that challenge that continues to get in the way and keep you frustrated? Apply for one-on-one coaching with kara: https://www.heykaralist.com/coaching-page

Want to improve your workplace culture and boost team morale in 2025? In this episode of The Culture Keepers Podcast, leadership coach Kara List shares 7 practical strategies to build a positive, high-performing team culture—even if your team feels disengaged or burned out. Whether you're a new manager or a seasoned leader, you’ll learn how to build trust, encourage feedback, foster connection, and drive engagement without needing a massive budget or endless time.

From celebrating progress to inviting disagreement, Kara walks you through actionable leadership tips that help you lead with clarity, kindness, and consistency. This is your leadership playbook for creating a workplace where people feel seen, valued, and motivated to do their best work.

[ FREE RESOURCES ]

👉 Watch my FREE TRAINING on how to empower your team to STOP needing you for every answer and directive: https://www.heykaralist.com/workshop

👉 Get a FREE guide to the BEST way to start your meetings: https://www.heykaralist.com/kickoff

👉 Subscribe to get new content, freebies, and tips directly in your inbox: https://www.heykaralist.com/newsletter

[ WORK WITH ME ]

🔥 Want to build a happy and high performing team so you can go on a vacation? Join my signature program, Empowered Teams Academy at: https://www.heykaralist.com/eta

🔥 Looking to grow in your leadership skills and finally overcome that challenge that continues to get in the way and keep you frustrated? Apply for one-on-one coaching with kara: https://www.heykaralist.com/coaching-page

Today, we’re tackling one of leadership's hardest and most important moments: what to do when someone on your team drops the ball. You’ll learn a 4-step framework to handle missed goals with compassion and clarity—without shaming your team or lowering your standards. We’ll talk about the emotional tension between kindness and accountability, and how to navigate it with confidence.You'll walk away with:-A clear script for naming the miss without blame-Questions that invite reflection (not excuses)-Coaching strategies to move forward with structure-Ways to reinforce accountability while strengthening trustWhether you're a seasoned leader or new to management, this episode will help you handle hard conversations in a way that builds your culture—not breaks it.

[ FREE RESOURCES ]

👉 Watch my FREE TRAINING on how to empower your team to STOP needing you for every answer and directive: https://www.heykaralist.com/workshop

👉 Get a FREE guide to the BEST way to start your meetings: https://www.heykaralist.com/kickoff

👉 Subscribe to get new content, freebies, and tips directly in your inbox: https://www.heykaralist.com/newsletter

[ WORK WITH ME ]

🔥 Want to build a happy and high performing team so you can go on a vacation? Join my signature program, Empowered Teams Academy at: https://www.heykaralist.com/eta

Want to build a stronger, more motivated team? Most leaders default to vague praise like “good job”—but that’s not enough. In this episode, leadership coach Kara List shares 3 practical coaching strategies that will completely shift how your team hears feedback and responds. You’ll learn how to train your brain to spot what’s going right, how to coach for connection, development, and culture, and how to use everyday moments to create real transformation.

🎯 Perfect for:

✔️ Managers and team leaders

✔️ Culture builders

✔️ Leaders who want to give better feedback

✔️ Anyone tired of feeling like praise falls flat

[ FREE RESOURCES ]

👉 Watch my FREE TRAINING on how to empower your team to STOP needing you for every answer and directive: https://www.heykaralist.com/workshop

👉 Get a FREE guide to the BEST way to start your meetings: https://www.heykaralist.com/kickoff

👉 Subscribe to get new content, freebies, and tips directly in your inbox: https://www.heykaralist.com/newsletter

[ WORK WITH ME ]

🔥 Want to build a happy and high performing team so you can go on a vacation? Join my signature program, Empowered Teams Academy at: https://www.heykaralist.com/eta

Your employee just got defensive—now what? In this episode, you'll learn exactly what to say and do when a team member shuts down, pushes back, or gets emotional during feedback conversations.If you've ever struggled with employees who take feedback personally or derail productive conversations, this is for you. Whether you're a new manager, experienced leader, or HR professional, these communication tips will help you stay calm, build trust, and give feedback that actually sticks. We'll walk through: